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Lambesis Asks, You Want Fluff or Meat?

I was reading a recent blog post by Tim Lambesis, who’s the frontman of As I Lay Dying (a Christian metalcore band I really like), and he had some very interesting thoughts on how interactions between fans on a social networking site have become more or less marketing tools. Lambesis observed that one of his favorite bands had posted a new song, and that he noticed how many “Likes” it had. Next, he saw that some new photos also had been posted by the band and that that post had as many or more “Likes” than their new music did.

The problem?

People seem to be more interested in what the band is wearing or doing at any given moment than for what they have to say in their music. So Tim asked his blog readers what fans should be more interested in: what the band members wear and where they hang out, or the content and quality of their music?

That’s not a problem “fans” of Plugged In have to worry about. As a designer around here, I know firsthand that the writers of Plugged In’s reviews face a constant battle with trying to convey deep and meaningful thoughts to the millions of readers who come to see what they have to say about popular entertainment. And frankly, I can’t imagine anyone wanting to see photos of all my office-mates planking while wearing Angry Birds costumes. (And I can’t imagine them actually agreeing to do it either!) Video clips, photos and quick half-baked thoughts are readily available in cyberspace. For years now I’ve sat right next to the guys who write our reviews, and you can rest assured that we’re not about that.

How about you? Are you drawn towards microwaved drive-thru stream-of-consciousness fodder? Or do you want real meat and potatoes?

Graphic Designer for PLUGGEDIN.COM. Cutting his design teeth at Scripture Press/Cook Communications, Kevin brings years of ministry and freelance experience to Plugged In's visual presentation. He also analyzes video games for our reviews and contributes an occasional blog.

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Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Comment by Patricia:

Of course I like meat and potatoes - it's what sustains me after all, but it is far easier fo rme to make a quick like/dislike decision about my favourite bands' new shirts or what they had for lunch than to honestly consider all they hoped to convey in a new song. For me, though, the only reason I would know what my favourite band was up to before a show is if I was already a huge fan of the music - enough to pay good money for albums and concerts, anyway.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Comment by YetAnotherTeen:

"Actions (may) speak louder than words", and "a picture (may be) worth a thousand words", but sometimes, the picture should just shut up and let the words flow through. A meaningless image is worth nothing.

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Good media discernment is about guarding our eyes and hearts before we watch or listen. And it's also about grappling with the entertainment we do see or hear. That's why the Plugged In Blog is devoted to guarding, discussing and grappling.